PORT CLIMB 4 PLACES WITH LAST GASP VICTORY OVER ALDERMASTON’S ATOM MEN

Newport beat bottom club Aldermaston at Beatrice Avenue this afternoon (Saturday) with a goal in the final minute of the game. The Atom Men performed far better than their position at the bottom of Wessex Division 1 would suggest. However, the Berkshire-based club returned across the Solent pointless, having conceded their 100th goal of the season. There was very little goalmouth action to report during the 1st 20 minutes of the game, with a physical Liam Springer preventing Port centre forward Jordan Browne from posing a threat. Most of Newport’s attacks were coming from the right flank, with a marauding Joe Butcher causing problems for the Aldermaston defence. The 1st chances came around the 25 minute mark with attempts from Butcher and Browne foiled by the Atom Men’s keeper – man-mountain Nathanial Knight. However, Aldermaston appeared dangerous going forward, with Port keeper Pitman foiling their capable centre forward Abbeh. Port’s final goal attempt came in the 45th minute when Blake stopped a speculative long-range effort from Browne.

Half time: Newport IW 0-0 Aldermaston The 2nd half began with Zac Harris coming on for Nicky Vyse. Port peppered the Aldermaston goal with shots but somehow never appeared likely to score. In the 50th minute, Jordan Browne had a shot blocked; 2 minutes later, Butcher had a strike saved by Knight. On the hour mark, Butcher blasted over the crossbar, following which Josh Younie had an effort stopped by Knight and sent a further goal attempt over the goal. Port manager Brougham brought on Holbrooke and Parsons, but the home side were still unable to break the deadlock.

The final 15 minutes saw Aldermaston go on the offensive with Pitman forced to make a couple of brave stops to prevent lively winger Ahmed Zamil giving the away side an unlikely lead. At the other end, Josh Younie managed a couple of uncharacteristically ineffective efforts. The breakthrough came in the final minute of full time play, when a looping header by Michael Thompsett from a Josh Younie corner flew over the Aldermaston defenders and their gargantuan goalkeeper and into the goal to secure all 3 points for the Port (1-0).

Full time: Newport IW 1-0 Aldermaston Newport IW: Pitman, Page (Holbrooke), Thompsett, Oatley, McDonough (Parsons), Watterson, Butcher, Walsh, Browne, Younie, Vyse (Harris) Subs: Myram, Sayers Man-of-the-match: Leon Pitman Newport’s win leaves the County Town club 11th in Wessex Division 1, with 42 points from 30 games. This Friday, Port face landlords East Cowes Vics at Beatrice Avenue.

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VICS VANQUISH PLAYOFF PLACE RIVALS FLEETLANDS

East Cowes Vics have gone 8 points clear of 6th-placed Cove in Wessex Division 1 by beating Fleetlands at Powder Monkey Park. Vics took the lead through a superb strike from Jake Wright from outside the penalty area on the quarter hour mark (0-1) The East Cowes side found themselves playing against 10 men at the start of the 2nd half when Bennett was red carded for a 2nd yellow. Jez Conway then added a 2nd for Vics in the 53rd minute (0-2), and the Island side saw out the remainder of the game without mishap to return across the Solent with all 3 points. Full time: Fleetlands 0-2 East Cowes Vics Vics: Ram, Snow, Yates, Wheeler (Newbold), Chase, Chapman, Boyd-Kerr (Coode), Wright, Conway (Nash), Reynolds (Young), Neale (Marsek) After the game, Vics manager Alex Smith said:

“It was a well earned result and a true squad performance, with all 16 players contributing against excellent opposition on a challenging surface. “Individually, Callum Chase was sensational; there was an excellent performance from Jake Wright; Aedan Coode was terrific when he came on; there was another goal for Jez which is really pleasing. “Games like that are a squad effort – including the lads who have trained and not made the match day squad. Everybody continues to contribute positively. “Another swift turnaround means we enjoy the win but set our eyes firmly on the Brading game on Tuesday evening. They’re a strong side with a number of talented individuals. The Gold Cup means a lot to us, and we’ll be looking to deliver a top performance.”

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Vics remain 5th in Wessex Division 1, with 60 points from 32 games. This Tuesday (26th March), Vics take on Brading Town in the Gold Cup at Beatrice Avenue with a 19:45 kick off.

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DEFEAT BY CREEKSIDERS SEES YACHTSMEN DRIFT FURTHER FROM PLAYOFFS

Cowes Sports have dropped to 8th place after losing 3-1 to Fareham Town. The Yachtsmen began brightly with Caleb Neale having a shot stopped in the 4th minute. The remainder of the 1st half was uneventful until shortly before the interval when Cowes keeper Ed Hatt was forced to make a spectacular double save to prevent the Creeksiders taking the lead. Fareham scored in the 50th minute through Lewis Colvin (1-0) before Sam Woodward doubled the home side’s advantage (2-0). The Yachtsmen had the opportunity to get back in the game when centre forward Scott McFarlane was bundled over in the penalty area, before converting the spot kick he had won (2-1). However, thoughts of a comeback were dashed by a 3rd goal for the Creeksiders, scored by Charlie Cooper. Full time: Fareham Town 3-1 Cowes Sports Cowes Sports: Hatt, Mumford, Hancott, Triggs, Oatley, Colson, Phillips (c), Cook, McFarlane, Carter-Knight, Bridi Subs: Cranwell, Neale, West, Hayward, Ahmed This Tuesday (26th March), the Yachtsmen face Bournemouth Poppies at Westwood Park with kick off at 20:00.